My Newest Big Bang

A few weeks ago I stumbled into a Sydney AD to have a look at a few watches as I was feeling I needed something new. Amongst the Hublots there was a Luna Rossa. This piece has been there for a while and only in Australia would one find one as everywhere else this is a hot watch that has been sold out long ago.

I never appreciated the subtle yet commanding styling of this watch until taking a closer look. One should not expect anything less from a powerful collaboration between Hublot and Prada.

The Luna Rossa was issued in a numbered limited edition of 1000 watches. The design is extreme, distinguished, refined and exclusive. Constructed using advanced technology materials (carbon, Kevlar, titanium, ceramics and rubber), which makes its genetic code the same as that of the America Class yacht, it bears the signature Luna Rossa on the famous red line drawn on its carbon case, as well as inside the natural rubber strap.

I also love the baton style markers which have now been adopted in the Big Bang Evolution range. It has the same elements of the monochrome All Black versions (black ceramic case, brushed black bezel, smooth strap)....but the dial just grabs you attention with its carbon fiber and red accents. I suspect that the carbon fiber dial is exclusive to this watch.

As you can see there have been a number of celebratory drinks after my purchase.


This is a very striking and wearable Hublot (ceramic case and bezel). IMHO it has the best rubber strap which from reading an old TZ post by JCB was designed by Mr. Berteli, the owner of Prada.

Since I bought the Luna Rossa home, most of my other watches have been having a holiday.

Louis Vuitton: The Quiet Achiever

Unlike the grand media blitz of notable competitors that are making a bold move into the luxury watch market, Louis Vuitton is letting the product do the talking. In a nice finish to our holiday, Vikki and I were invited to attend a private viewing of LV’s new Tambour Spin Time collection.


When we arrived at the Louis Vuitton store, we were escorted up to their private salon which is the loft penthouse.



Our hosts were Alin, Christina and Quentin who were very gracious as we spent close to two hours talking about their new collection and LV’s watchmaking ambitions. In true LVMH style, the discussions were accompanied with the fabulous Dom Perignon 2002 vintage. This was our second tasting of this remarkable Champagne and definitely not the last.

The innovative Tambour Spin Time GMT puts an interesting ‘spin’ on reading the time as it lacks the hour hand.


The hours are marked by 12 rotating cubes. The design of the innovative rotating cubes was born at LVMH’s workshops in La Chaux-de-Fonds. The assemblage of the movement also takes place there.


Anytime you drop a glance at the face of the new Louis Vuitton watch, eleven of the cubes have a blank face with a subtle letter “V”), while the current hour is numerically shown by the 12th cube found in the current hour position.


A great advantage of this innovative hour display is that the cubes feature numerals on two sides, so they display a.m. or p.m time. As for the minutes, they are traditionally shown by a minute hand. You will also notice a conventional GMT hand in yellow. The GMT time is adjusted by the crown positioned at 8 o’clock.

The new Louis Vuitton watch provides precision timekeeping with help of a Swiss-made self-winding movement - the caliber LV 119 - with an ETA base. The quality of the finish is of an exceptional standard as is the heft of the 44mm white gold case. Attention to the small details is very high, typified by the wonderful execution of the rotor design (an element that quite a number high end brands seem to constantly neglect).


The Tambour Spin Time GMT watch also boasts the brand’s LeVel Up crown stem lifting system used to allows the crown to move for utmost comfort on the wrist. The idea of the system was suggested by the transfer case on a car. It represents a number of toothed wheels engaged with an internal toothed wheel that regulates winding, along with the date and hour adjusting.

The lady’s version in white gold with black and white diamonds is truly remarkable.


The Tambour Spin Time is an interesting and unique way of keeping time. It remains a given that Louis Vuitton is evolving into a serious alternative for the astute collector that has it all.

Once again thankyou to Alin, Christina and Quentin for the opportunity to inspect these stunning watches and to Maison Louis Vuitton for continuing its journey in high end luxury products.